An act declaring Arnis as the national martial arts and sports of the Philippines.

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s. No. 3288
H. No. 6516
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Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh
day of July, two thousand nine.
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[ REpUBLIC ACT No. 88501
AN ACT DECLARING ARNIS AS THE NATIONAL MARTIAL
ART AND SPORT OF THE PHILIPPINES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House ofRepresentatives ofthe
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. It is the policy of the State to inculcate
patriotism, nationalism and appreciation of the role of national
heroes and symbols in the historical development of the
country. Furthermore, the State must give priority to
education, science and technology, arts and culture, and sports
to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress,
and promote total human liberation and development.
SEC. 2. Definition of Amis. - Arnis, also known as
Eskrima, Kali, Garrote and other names in various regional
languages, such as Pananandata in Tagalog; Pagkalikali,
Ibanag; Kabaraon and Kalirongan, Pangasinan; Kaliradman,
Bisaya; and Didja, Ilokano, is an indigenous Filipino martial
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2. 2
art and sport characterized by the use of swinging and twirling
movements, accompanied by striking, thrusting and parrying
techniques for defense and offense. This is usually done with
the use of one (1) or two (2) sticks or any similar implements
or with bare hands and feet also used for striking, blocking,
locking and grappling, with the use of the same principle as
that with the canes.
SEC. 3. Arnis is hereby declared as the Philippine
National Martial Art and Sport. The official adoption of arnis
as the national martial art and sport shall be promulgated
by inscribing the symbol of arnis in the official seal of the
Philippine Sports Commission and by making it as the first
sport competition to be played by participating teams on the
first day in the annual Palarong Pambansa. The Philippine
Sports Commission shall be the lead agency to implement the
provisions of this Act.
SEC. 4. The Department of Education, the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Philippine
Sports Commission shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 5. Any provision of law, decree, executive order, rule
or regulation in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions
andlor purposes of this Act is hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.
SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least
two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
C.NOGRALES
President ofthe Senate
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3. This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No.
3288 and House Bill No. 6516 was finally passed
by the Senate and the House of Representatives on
October 14, 2009.
Sec~ !ary General
House ifRepresentatives
~~
Secretary ofthe Senate
Approved: DEC 112009
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GLORIA ACAPAGAL- OYO
P sident of the Philip nes
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